Krychna Baker of Verizon Discusses Legal Innovation Ahead of Legal Innovators New York Conference
As the Legal Innovators New York conference approaches on November 17 and 18, Krychna Baker, Senior Manager of Legal Innovation and Technology at Verizon, shares insights on the complexities of legal innovation.
Baker highlights that while new legal intake platforms can streamline request submissions, the effectiveness of such technology hinges on clear processes and decision making. If roles and responsibilities are not well defined, the introduction of new tools may not lead to meaningful improvements.
With a background in leading transformation initiatives at Verizon, Amazon, and WeWork, Baker emphasises the importance of aligning technology with the needs of legal teams. She notes that understanding the specific challenges faced by legal professionals is crucial for successful implementation.
When discussing the role of lawyers in innovation, Baker advocates for a collaborative approach. She believes that while dedicated innovation teams should provide structure, every lawyer should contribute insights on inefficiencies and potential improvements. This shared responsibility fosters a culture of innovation and ensures that solutions are relevant and effective.
Baker identifies several challenges in transitioning from innovative ideas to implemented solutions. These include defining clear project scopes, addressing interdepartmental dependencies, and ensuring that solutions align with actual workflows. She stresses the importance of agreement on initial releases and the need for ongoing support and training to facilitate adoption.
Addressing the risks associated with AI in legal departments, Baker recommends involving legal and technical experts from the outset. She underscores the necessity of understanding the implications of AI use, particularly concerning accuracy, confidentiality, and privilege. Responsible implementation should include clear guidelines and training to mitigate potential risks.
Looking to the future, Baker anticipates that AI will serve both as a productivity tool and a catalyst for structural changes within legal departments. While immediate benefits may include enhanced information retrieval and document management, the long term impact on legal workflows and attorney roles will require careful consideration and strategic planning.
Baker's insights will be featured at the upcoming conference, where she will explore how AI can reshape legal workflows and the implications for in house teams. Her perspective underscores the need for thoughtful integration of technology in legal practices to ensure that innovation translates into tangible improvements.